Question

The drawing shows the figure of a horse with the point (marked with a red dot) where the pelvic girdle meets the vertebral column. Which of the options shows simplified bone linkages for the hind leg of the horse beginning with the red dot? 

• A. A
• B. B
• C. C
• D. D

Hint:

For animal anatomy questions, focus on the major joints and the characteristic angles they create. The hind leg of many four-legged running animals has a similar zig-zag or "spring-like" structure (hip → knee → ankle) that allows for powerful propulsion.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question requires identifying the correct simplified diagram of a horse's hind leg bone structure. This involves tracing the path of the major bones and joints from the pelvis downwards.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's trace the anatomy of the horse's hind leg from the red dot, which represents the sacroiliac joint (connection of pelvis to spine).
1. The first major segment is the femur, which runs from the hip joint (part of the pelvis) down and forward to the stifle joint (the horse's "knee").
2. The second segment consists of the tibia and fibula, which run from the stifle joint down and backward to the hock joint (the horse's "ankle").
3. The third segment is the cannon bone, which runs from the hock joint down and slightly forward to the fetlock joint.
4. The final segments are the pastern bones and coffin bone within the hoof.
This creates a distinct zig-zag pattern:
- Pelvis to Stifle: Down and Forward
- Stifle to Hock: Down and Backward
- Hock to Fetlock: Down and Forward
Now, let's examine the options:
- A: Shows the sequence: Down-Forward, then Down-Backward, then Down-Forward. This correctly matches the anatomical structure of the horse's hind leg.
- B: Shows Down-Backward, Down-Forward, Down-Backward. Incorrect.
- C: Shows Down-Forward, Down-Forward, Down-Backward. Incorrect.
- D: Shows Down-Backward, Down-Backward, Down-Forward. Incorrect.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The simplified bone linkage in option A accurately represents the angles and orientation of the major segments of a horse's hind leg.